Dear Church Family,
Like many of you, I do not like wearing a mask. I find they are too hot and at times prohibit me from breathing fully. Sometimes I must loosen the bottom or wear it below the nose, so I don't become winded. To that extent, I have sharply limited to being indoors at public places. I try to be mindful to be fully masked whenever I'm within 6 feet of another person. I confess I have slipped - but like all acts of conscious thought - it takes practice.
Someone asked me if participating in social distancing and wearing a mask is buying into fear and error consciousness. The question was presented as if Covid19 is an exercise in fear. As a spiritual leader I ponder that thought, because I am committed to the awareness of practicing what I preach. As a soul developing in this life form - I don't always practice what I preach - but I am open to growing into awareness of error thought when it appears. To that degree I strive to work through or release error consciousness as it appears. Like you, I'm a "work" in progress, sometimes it joyful, fulfilling work, sometimes it's messy and not very pretty.
As I looked at the possibility of the "fear" in practicing mask wearing and social distancing and I was reminded of Jesus facing troubling time in his hometown of Nazareth at the beginning of his ministry. The community simply saw him as Joseph's son and not the Son of God. They rejected his divinity and became enraged when he told them, "...no prophet is welcome in the prophet's hometown." Their hearts and minds were closed to Truth, and they wanted to kill him by throwing him off a cliff. Luke 4:30 says: "But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way."
This story reminds us wherever error consciousness appears we should pass through it and be on our way. One way we pass through it is by self-care. Jesus often practiced self-care amid crowds. Metaphysically "crowd" can represent a variety of opinions, race consciousness, mental and emotional chaos. The Gospels are filled with stories about Jesus's encounters with individuals. Each individual soul is transformed by Jesus's presence and power. He worked the crowds, too. The scriptures refer to him feeding and healing the multitudes, but it appeared he preferred one-on-one, face-to-face encounters.
To that extent, he exercised his wisdom and judgement of exercise self-care. I follow that example by wearing a mask and keeping social distance. Sometimes, I forget, too, and I'm grateful for those who remind me to remain vigilant. Like you, I want to "pass through" this experience with no one I love being infected or sick from the virus.
As to the error consciousness of this pandemic - there's more to ponder and volumes to speak and write about that this weekly letter will allow. But my overall view is that collectively and unconsciously our species is open to what COVID19 has to teach us. Just as every epidemic has touched every aspect of society - this, too is unfolding as a master teacher.
In the meantime, remember to utilize your powers of wisdom and judgement in self-care - wear a mask when you are in public - and socially distance from those who don't live in your home. And remember to love everyone whether they practice these safety measures or not. This "love everyone" thing is another area for me to grow into as I practice what I preach.
Many blessings,
Pastor Robert